Being comfortable with the uncomfortable

Introduction:

Being comfortable with the uncomfortable…What does this mean?

Things get hard from time to time and how we channel and come through difficult moments varies from person to person. Spending time and learning to live in the moments that are uncomfortable will teach you more than you can imagine.

When we get uncomfortable the first thing are body wants us to do is stop and quit. The mind then has two simple options to choose from. Either you quit and give up or continue to put one foot in front of the other. You will never learn anything from throwing in the towel. You will however, always learn and grow from your failures and mistakes.

Within this post I will discuss how you can learn to get comfortable with the uncomfortable and really begin to understand the importance of digging deep in your training sessions. When you go the extra mile within your training and begin testing that pain threshold, physical results will not be the only reward you earn. I strongly believe that when we are suffering and everything seems to be falling apart, overcoming and learning to adapt in the uncomfortable moments will build character.

Character Building

Ask yourself the question… how much do I want this?

Something I have always found fascinating with sport and exercise is the never ending search to see how far we can physically push. I believe one of my strongest assets and characteristics that I have built over years of competing in sport is the ability to find another gear when my body is uncomfortable.

When I compete in a 5k, 10k, or even a half marathon running event, I know that when entering the final stages of a race I’m about to be in a whole world of pain. The one thing I get nervous about even before starting a running event is visualising the final stages of a race where I know if I didn’t give absolutely everything, I would never forgive myself and it would haunt me for the rest of the day. Although this drives me crazy most of the time it’s the one thing I know that separates me from most individuals.

If you want to build character and really find out what you’re capable of then you have to be prepared to fight in the trenches. I think in order to find the answer you’re looking for you just need to ask yourself one simple question…

Could I have done more?

If there was nothing more you could have physically done on the day, then you can leave feeling satisfied that you gave everything you had and left nothing in the tank. An article by Sam Yang gives an insight into “how exercise can build character”.

Set yourself at least one weekly challenge

When setting your weekly challenge there are a couple of things you should think about in order to make it beneficial. Firstly, before attempting the challenge it should make you feel a little nervous. In the back of your mind you know it’s going to be hard from the beginning but if you dig deep, the rewards will be worth it. Secondly, the challenge should be something that will take you into the red and put you in an uncomfortable state. For example; 100 Med ball (MB) Slams in the quickest time possible.

Believe in yourself

This can be extremely powerful and will ultimately play a huge role in your results and overall progression. Have you ever asked yourself the question, how many things have you NOT done or tried because you lacked self-belief? Your level of self-belief is never set in stone and everyone has the potential to change. Remember, you were born into this world with no sense of knowing what you could or couldn’t do. So, be brave and have the confidence to try things at least once and you will be surprised how far you can go. A really good article on “5 lessons in what it takes to start believing in yourself” by Can Will Done explains further the benefits of believing.

Break things down

You don’t swallow a pizza in one go, you eat slice by slice. Apply the same approach when you’re going through a sticky period. For example; If you’re running a marathon you run mile by mile, don’t think about the finish line, live in the moment and embrace your surroundings.

Surround yourself with better or higher leveled athletes

At first this may seem rather daunting putting yourself amongst individuals who are at a higher level than you physically. If you truly want to grow and progress in all aspects of training then surround yourself with individuals who challenge you. Being in the company of people who share the same work ethic and desire will only breed better results. These people tend to be the ones who have been there and done it. You are more likely to learn and develop your skill set further being around individuals that are driven and focused. An article by Carrie Barrett on “5 things athletes do to create success” is worth a read.

Hire a coach

Struggling to see results?

If you can relate to the following questions then you will more than likely benefit from 1-2-1 personal training:

Do you follow a structured program that will get you the results you desire?

What is your goal and do you know the steps that need to be taken to reach that target?

When it comes to nutrition, do you know when to eat, what to eat and how much to eat?

Do you know how to successfully execute and perform exercises in order to get the most out of your training?

Do you suffer with self-confidence or lack motivation and drive?

Don’t be afraid to reach out for professional help if you want to take your training and nutrition to the next level. Working with a trainer/coach can be extremely rewarding when it comes to pushing your fitness boundaries. They hold you accountable from session to session whilst making sure you deliver your best performances. Work ethic and productivity levels are sure to be of a higher standard when working with a trainer who is constantly breathing down your neck. Bringing the required intensity to training sessions will be essential in order to achieve optimal results. Working with a coach will prevent you from slipping back into old habits and making silly mistakes. One thing that should help fuel the fire is having a fear of letting your coach down in and out of your training sessions. There will be expectation levels throughout your fitness journey and this will encourage you to maintain a strong mind-set in order to push through difficult moments. Check this article out by Christian Thibaudeau on “How to tell when a trainer sucks”.